Preposition Use - in / at / to / nothing - prepositions of place and movement

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IN



Use 'in' with static (non-movement) verbs and cities, countries, states, etc.:

• stay in the USA
• work in New York

AT




Use 'at' with static (non-movement) verbs and places:

• at the cinema
• at work
• at home

TO

Use 'to' with verbs of movement such as go, come, drive, etc.:

• go to work
• drive to California

IMPORTANT NOTES

The use of ' ' (nothing)

• With verbs of movement and the noun 'home' - He went home. - they drove home.
• With the verb 'visit' - She visited France last summer.

 

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Preposition Use - in / at / on - prepositions of time and date

IN

Use 'in' months and years and periods of time:

• in January
• in 1978
• in the twenties

Use 'in' a period of time in the future:

• in a few weeks
• in a couple of days

AT

Use 'at' with precise time:

• at six o'clock
• at 10.30
• at two p.m.

ON

Use 'on' with days of the week:

• on Monday
• on Fridays

Use 'on' with specific calendar days:

• on Christmas day
• on October 22nd

IMPORTANT NOTES


in the morning / afternoon / evening - at night
We say in the morning, afternoon or evening BUT we say 'at night'
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IN

Use 'in' with spaces:

• in a room / in a building
• in a garden / in a park

Use 'in' with bodies of water:

• in the water
• in the sea
• in a river

Use 'in' with lines:

• in a row / in a line
• in a queue

AT


Use 'at' with places:

• at the bus-stop
• at the door
• at the cinema
• at the end of the street

Use 'at' with places on a page:

• at the top of the page
• at the bottom of the page

Use 'at' in groups of people:

• at the back of the class
• at the front of the class

ON

Use 'on' with surfaces:

• on the ceiling / on the wall / on the floor
• on the table

Use 'on' with small islands:

• I stayed on Maui.

Use 'on' with directions:

• on the left
• on the right
• straight on

IMPORTANT NOTES


In / at / on the corner

We say 'in the corner of a room', but 'at the corner (or 'on the corner') of a street
'
In / at / on the front

• We say 'in the front / in the back' of a car
• We say 'at the front / at the back' of buildings / groups of people
• We say 'on the front / on the back' of a piece of paper